Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Dave Sexton has died at the age
of 82 with the Football Association’s director of football Trevor Brooking
leading the tributes to one of the game’s most “revered” coaches.

Sexton also had two spells in charge of the England Under-21s, which included a marathon 13-year stint between 1977 and 1990. He returned after a four-year absence before finally severing his ties with the national team in 1996.

Although employed only part-time, Sexton still guided the under-21s to back-to-back European titles in 1982 and 1984.

Sexton began his managerial career at Leyton Orient in 1965, before taking charge of Chelsea, where he won the 1970 FA Cup and the 1971 European Cup-Winners’ Cup during a successful seven-year stint. He also had spells as manager of Queens Park Rangers, Manchester United and Coventry City.

“It is a sad day for English football,”said Brooking. “Anyone who was ever coached by Dave would be able to tell you what a good man he was, but not only that, what a great coach in particular he was.

“In the last 30-40 years, Dave’s name was up there with any of the top coaches we have produced in England – the likes of Terry Venables, Don Howe and Ron Greenwood. His coaching was revered.”

A former player with Luton, West Ham, Leyton Orient, Brighton and Crystal Palace, Sexton enjoyed huge success as a manager famed for his innovative approach on the training ground.

Sexton won Chelsea’s first FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over Leeds United in a replay at Old Trafford. The first match at Wembley had ended 2-2, but Chelsea came from a goal behind to lift the cup thanks to David Webb’s extra-time winner.

A year later,Chelsea lifted the European Cup-Winners’ Cup, beating Real Madrid in another replay.

“Chelsea Football Club would like to express our enormous sadness and send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dave Sexton who has died aged 82,” a statement read.

“Sexton is without doubt one of the greatest managers in Chelsea history, having led the club to our first FA Cup and the Cup-Winners’ Cup – our first European trophy.”

Peter Bonetti, Chelsea’s goalkeeper under Sexton, believes his place in history is assured.

“I’ve got nothing but praise for him,” he told chelseafc.com. “He passed away peacefully last night. I’ve spoken to his wife and it’s come as a complete shock because he was such a lovely man.

“Everybody loved him and everybody respected him here at Chelsea and he will go down in the club’s history as being such a fantastic guy who brought us so much success.”